Images(3)

Button, Political

Object number2024.17.35

Manufacturer Tigereye Design

Date2001

MediumPlastic; Paper; Ink; Metal; Adhesive

Credit LineGift of Amy Selders

DescriptionSquare pinback political button. Front has border of black, orange, and red alternating squares with inset yellow border surrounding black central background containing white text. Button has clear plastic cover which, along with the background paper, is wrapped around the edges to the back. Reverse has black metal backer with underlying shiny silver metal backer. Reverse has metal pinback horizontal across top center. Reverse has circular yellow maker sticker in the bottom proper right quadrant and white maker text along the proper left edge.DimensionsHeight x Width x Depth: 2.125 x 2.125 x 0.375 in. (5.4 x 5.4 x 1 cm)
InscriptionsFront has white printed text "Just because you / can't see it / doesn't mean / it isn't there. / Celebrate / the Invisible".
MarksFront has union label at bottom center with white printed text "UNION / ... / USWA / LABEL".

Reverse has circular yellow sticker in the bottom proper right quadrant with black printed text "UNION MADE / PROMOTIONAL / ITEMS / TIGEREYE / DESIGN / 800-844-3739 / USWA 3210 / tigereyedesign.com".

Reverse has white text along the proper left edge "©2001 Nth Degree *800-241-8468 / UNION / AFL-CIO... / USWA / LABEL / LOCAL 3210".
Historical NotesAmy DeLancey Selders is a disability rights advocate who worked at various Centers for Independent Living across the country. A native of Castle Shannon borough, Selders lives with Epilepsy, Lupus, Chronic Kidney Disease, hereditary Hemochromatosis, and Sjögren’s Syndrome. During her formative years, Selders observed the quilting tradition of her great-grandmother, who crafted quilts to celebrate family milestones. After completing her formal schooling, Selders worked as a Vista volunteer with Three Rivers Center for Independent Living (TRCIL) from 1990 to 1992. Here she received exposure to the tenets of the Independent Living Movement. The Independent Living Movement brought about a tectonic shift in the way people with mobility disabilities and complex support needs were supported in larger society. Formerly, these disabled individuals relied upon their families for home-based care and support. Personal homes frequently were not accessible for people with mobility disabilities. Individuals who encountered these barriers and did not have support at home were frequently sent to state-run institutions or nursing homes. Centers for Independent Living emerged from within the disability community as centers of advocacy and support to promote the transition of disabled individuals into community-based supported housing with appropriate attendant care. The Independent Living Movement centered the individual self-determination of disabled individuals to live independently. CILs also served as community centers and provided employment support. In 1998-1999, Selders began working for the Three Rivers Center for Independent Living (TRCIL) in Pittsburgh. Selders worked as a housing counselor, with the goal of transferring of people with mobility disabilities from nursing homes into community-based housing. In this role, Selders collaborated with the disabled individual to assess their support needs. Selders then worked to locate accessible housing within the confines of Section 8 housing. She also coordinated attendant care support for clients. This work was funded by a state Supportive Housing Demonstration Project grant. Selders worked for nine years at TRCIL. Selders incorporated her family legacy of quilting into her disability rights work. Selders created quilts that reflected facets of the Disability Rights Movement, including ADAPT and visitability. Selders is a self-taught quilter and experimented with different quilting patterns when creating a quilt honoring the Independent Living Movement. Selders also worked on short-term contract positions for numerous CILs across the country, including in San Jose, Chicago, San Matteo, Indianapolis, and San Francisco. Selders incorporated quilting into her outreach work at CILs. Selders is credited with leading the first Disability Pride parade, which took place in Chicago in 2004. Selders worked with disabled students from Chicago Public Schools on topics such as disability culture, life skills and financial training. Selders was also active in American Disabled for Attendant Programs Today (ADAPT), an activist organization within the Independent Living Movement. Selders participated in multiple ADAPT demonstrations, known as National Action events. Selders has a particular fondness for disability rights advocate Justin Dart, Jr., who helped to pass the Americans with Disabilities Act and is regarded as the “Godfather of the ADA.” An uptick in seizures prompted Selders to retire from her professional work.

Previous owner Amy DeLancey Selders

Related institution United Steelworkers of America